Malawi President’s declared wealth to go public March 2 –report

Malawian public will have access to details of the wealth of President Peter Mutharika and his deputy Saulos Chilima and selected senior public officers from March 2 this year, the Directorate of Public Officer’s Assets Declarations has said.

President Mutharika: Declared his assets

According to Director of Public Officer’s assets declaration, Chris Tukula, other senior officials whose worth will be accessible during the first phase are the Speaker of Parliament and deputy speakers of the National Assembly, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, leaders and treasurers of political parties represented in Parliament, mayors and councillors.

“The first reason we are starting with the senior officers is because that is where demand dor scrutiny is heaviest,” said Tukula as reported by Weekend Nation.

“The second reason is that we have a voluminous task which the skeleton staff available at the moment can nor make ready in the shortest time possible.”

Tukula, however said his office is not compelled to release the information “anyhow” but the public may access it.

He explained that a member of the general public will have to make an application with full particulars identifying themselves and citing a reason for a seeking to access the information.

Assets are still not yet declared – we’re waiting. Given you’ve previously been in government how do we know these assets don’t include stolen wealth from you and your brother’s last time in power? Also Comment 12 is correct, we need more than just declaring assets for the process to hold public servants including the President to account.